Fairs and Exhibitions (F&E), organizers of the Dubai air show, is to officially launch Dubai 2003 marketing at Asian Aerospace in Singapore next month (February). "By launching Dubai 2003 at Asian Aerospace we give exhibitors an opportunity to input initial space requirements allowing us to secure the best possible locations for their needs," said Clive Richardson, F&E CEO.
Dubai 2003 will feature a dedicated ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) pavilion and conference, as well as an information technology arena and conference. With the possibility of a pavilion devoted to satellite technology currently under review. At the close of Dubai 2001, 80 percent of exhibitors reserved space for the 2003 show.
Dubai 2001, the 7th international aerospace exhibition, took place November 4-8, 2001 at Dubai Airport Expo, the show's purpose-built facility, in the aftermath of September 11. "Despite the extraordinary events of September 11, which hit an industry already reeling from an economic slowdown, the aerospace community rallied around Dubai”.
"Dubai 2001 amassed an on-site order intake in excess of $15 billion, including the biggest ever on-site declared order by any airline at any air show when Emirates Group announced a staggering order for Boeing and Airbus aircraft. It provided a much-needed boost to a lack luster aviation sector," said Richardson.
Over the five days, Dubai 2001 had just under 30,000 visitors from 84 countries over the four days including some 150 official delegations from 52 nations, 80 of which represented the civilian sector. The show featured 450 exhibitors from 33 countries and 10 national pavilions and was covered by a 650-strong international media corps from 36 countries.
F&E attributes the ongoing success of the Dubai air show to the rapidly developing regional aviation industry, which includes major aviation infrastructure development across the Gulf, large airframe acquisition programs and airline expansion policies.
"We have always claimed that the show is a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa aerospace sector. The expansion of the industry in this region bucks the downward trend currently set by the rest of the world with analysts forecasting an annual 4.2 percent growth in air travel in this region, said Richardson.
Regional governments are throwing their support behind aviation development programs. Recently both Bahrain and Lebanon have taken the step of reviewing air transport regulation as they move towards open sky policies. According to the International Airports Council, the Gulf states alone will spend two billion dollars within the next three years, expanding existing facilities.
"This figure does not even include new build. The UAE alone has three major airport expansion programs afoot including the $2.5 billion third terminal at Dubai International Airport. Bahrain and Qatar are also undertaking massive expansion of their international airports," said Richardson.
It has been estimated the region's carriers will be flying in upwards of 1,020 aircraft by 2020. Airbus has predicted Middle East and African carriers will acquire some 620 aircraft, worth around $60 billion by 2018. Boeing has also echoed these sentiments, its own predictions point to 651 new commercial jets, worth $63 billion over the next 20 years.
The Emirates Group made headlines at Dubai 2001, with a mega airframe order of 25 Boeing 777s, 22 Airbus A380s, eight A340-600s and three A330s by the end of the decade. "Emirates aims to be carrying twice as many passengers by 2006 and will have tripled in size by 2010 and Qatar Airways has one of the fastest growth rates of any airline in the world," said Richardson.
"The Dubai air show provides a business-to-business forum, giving the regional aviation industry direct access to international aerospace leaders. Demand in this part of the world is anything but slowing, which is why we foresee Dubai 2003 as being the biggest Dubai air show yet," concluded Richardson. AA-5
Dubai 2003 will be held at Dubai Airport Expo from December 7-11, 2003. Though traditionally held in November, the organizers have moved to early December so as not to clash with the Eid holiday celebration at the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The Dubai air show is organized by Fairs and Exhibitions in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
